Objective: To examine how America changed in the years immediately following World War II.
Postwar Leaders Election of 1948: Harry Truman (D) v. Thomas Dewey (R) Iowa, 1948
President Truman speaking to a group of boys from his train during his 1948 campaign.
Press aboard campaign train, 1948
Campaigning for Truman, 1948
Truman narrowly defeated Dewey.
Upset Cart , by Jim Berryman
The Fair Deal – a series of reforms proposed by Pres The Fair Deal – a series of reforms proposed by Pres. Truman after the election of 1948 Minimum wage was raised. Social Security covered more people. Segregation was ended in the armed forces.
However, Congress rejected Truman’s plan for the government to provide health insurance for all Americans.
Election of 1952: Pres. Truman announced that he would not seek reelection. Republican General Dwight D. Eisenhower defeated Democrat Adlai Stevenson for the Presidency. General Eisenhower Speaking to Paratroopers before the D-Day Invasion
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Decade Population Growth Life in the 1950’s: In the 1950’s, the nation experienced a baby boom. Decade Population Growth 1930’s 9 million 1940’s 19 million 1950’s 29 million
What caused the baby boom? the economy was the best it had been since the 1920’s many couples waited until after WWII to have children
health care improved for pregnant women and newborn infants Dr. Jonas Salk created a vaccine against polio.
Stranded baby carriage. [Chicago Tribune, 1947]
Returning war veterans sparked an unprecedented demand for housing after World War II. Cheaper materials and government-backed mortgages enabled home builders to meet that demand.
The suburbs grow: As families grew, people began to move out of the cities and into the suburbs. The new suburbs combined country comforts with city conveniences. With the help of modern production and financing methods, builders like Levitt and Sons made the American dream of homeownership affordable to millions.
William Levitt bought large tracts of land on which he built thousands of identical houses. "Any fool can build homes—what counts is how many you can sell for how little.” - William J. Levitt
Before and after aerials showing Island Trees, New York, site of the first Levittown development. These communities were known as Levittowns, the first of which was built on Long Island in 1947.
Newsday Advertisement June 13, 1953
Cars and Highways: The growth of suburbs caused an increased reliance on cars and the construction of highways. Example: By 1960, 9 out of 10 suburban families owned a car. The Interstate Highway Act of 1956 built a network of highways across the country linking the nation.
Television: In the 1950’s, the television replaced the radio as the primary form of home family entertainment. (1951 - 30 inch) This set was by far the largest direct view model of its time, with a 30 inch picture tube. It is the largest black and white set ever made.
Zenith was the primary company makings "porthole" style sets (1949 - 12 inch) Zenith was the primary company makings "porthole" style sets
Popular shows included American Bandstand, Howdy Doody, and I Love Lucy.